Steven Thomas

1828 Hopkins Road

Murray, KY 42071

Ida M. Klepper

Manager, Airmen and Airspace Rules Division

Federal Aviation Administration

800 Independence Ave., S.W.

Washington, D.C. 20591

Thanks you for your letter of October 19, 2010 regarding docket number FAA-2010-

0996 in which I am seeking a waiver that will allow me to set world altitude records in 

the United States as a Sport Pilot.

The information that you requested is written in red in the text below. 

§ 11.81 What information must I include in my petition for an exemption?

You must include the following information in your petition for an exemption and submit it to FAA as soon as 

you know you need an exemption.

(a) Your name and mailing address and, if you wish, other contact information such as a fax number, 

telephone number, or e-mail address;

Steven Thomas

1828 Hopkins Road

Murray, KY 42071

E-mail americanspirit@bellsouth.net

Phone 270-293-5909

(b) The specific section or sections of 14 CFR from which you seek an exemption;

91.215 – (all) **unless ATC says I am OK (ref 91.135d) 

61.315[c](6) no flight in class A airspace

61.315[c](11) no flight above 10,000 MSL

**any other FAR’s that would redundantly prohibit the above action of flying into Class A airspace.

(c) The extent of relief you seek, and the reason you seek the relief;

The extent of the relief shall be for no more time than it takes to pilot my aircraft once to 23,000’ MSL

(d) The reasons why granting your request would be in the public interes t; that is, how it would benefit 

the public as a whole;

The public interest for the FAA is to keep the non-flying public safe. This flight would be in an aircraft that 

weighs less than the maximum allowed for Light Sport Aircraft. This flight being in a registered and 

inspected aircraft additionally fulfills the public interest. The public as a whole would also gain an awareness 

of the entire Light Sport and Sport Pilot areas due to the publicity of a world record attempt. When 

successful, the entire world will have been shown the capabilities of LSA and SP and further remove the 

‘toy’ perception of such viable aircraft.

(e) The reasons why granting the exemption would not adversely affect safety, or how the exemption 

would provide a level of safety at least equal to that provided by the rule from which you seek the 

exemption;

The flight will be flown over non-congested areas and the basis of the exemption is to go substantially higher 

thereby providing a far larger choice of emergency landing areas than would normally be the case.

(f) A summary we can publish in theFederal Register,stating:

The petitioner seeks to fly above 10,000’ and up to 23,000’ for a world record attempt.

(1) The rule from which you seek the exemption; and

91.215, 61.315[c](6)&(11)

(2) A brief description of the nature of the exemption you seek;

The petitioner seeks to set world records for maximum altitude and time to climb in a powered parachute.
(g) Any additional information, views or arguments available to support your request; and

The petitioner, in the interest of safety, choose to forego this flight in an ultralight and instead seeks to 

accomplish the flight as a rated pilot in a registered aircraft.

(h) If you want to exercise the privileges of your exemption outside the United States, the reason why you 

need to do so.

No such need or wish.

Sincerely,

Steven Thomas